A priest in Nicaragua who can't be identified for fear of retribution tells us that May 8 (2016) on the annual commemoration of apparitions in Cuapa an estimated 200,000 faithful swarmed a small shrine there dedicated to the appearances of Mary in 1980 -- appearances that led to the seer, Bernardo Martinez, becoming a priest (he died in 2000).
The Cardinal of Managua, Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano (pictured above, two years ago) presided over Mass, con-celebrating, according to the priest, with three bishops, including the local prelate, Bishop Socrates Rene Sandigo, and about three hundred priests.
"Many, many Hosts were consecrated; many were left without Communion because there weren't enough," the priest says. "Every day for three days they come starting on May 8; they arrive in hundreds; but not like this time.
"There were about 200,000 or even perhaps more, from all over Nicaragua. There is a prophecy the Blessed Mother spoke to Father Martinez and she told them, when you see people coming in multitudes, that is a sign that Sandinistas are going to persecute the Church."
In fact, it is due to apprehension over that regime that the priest requested anonymity, though the local bishop, in his remarks during Mass, addressed the persecution, which as yet is not widespread (prayer need here). Ironically, we had an article about Cuapa last week (May 5, 2016; see below).
The priests said another prophecy was that the nation's Conference of Bishops would one day go to Cuapa. There are nine bishops in the country and some could not attend, he informs us.
The shrine is small, he said, because Mary didn't request a church right there. "You are my temple," she told Martinez.
The priest said a photograph of the sky and surroundings was taken during the events and sent to him and "immediately you can see silhouette of Mother of God. There is no doubt that she appeared. There's a cloud and a tree and in the tree you can see her dressed in white." (For our discernment.) He said Cuapa has been a spot of "many conversions and healing."
"Conversion is the first miracle of Cuapa," he noted.
"Pray for faith in order that you will have patience," Mary told Father Martinez in this Church-approved but rarely mentioned apparition. "Pray, pray, my son, for all the world. Grave dangers threaten the world. Pray the Rosary. Meditate on the mysteries. Listen to the Word of God spoken in them. Forgive each other. Make peace. Don't ask for peace without making peace."
[see also: previous story]
[resources: The Final Hour and Retreat (Michael Brown): Cherry Hill, New Jersey]
